Hea03 - Safe containment in labratories – Above Green

Non-residential only (credits dependent on building type)

Aim

To recognise and encourage a healthy internal environment through the safe containment and removal of pollutants.

Assessment criteria

The following is required to demonstrate compliance:

One credit - Laboratory containment devices and containment areas

An objective risk assessment of the proposed laboratory facilities has been carried out prior to completion of the Developed design to ensure potential risks are considered in the design of the laboratory.

Where containment devices such as fume cupboards are specified, their manufacture and installation is carried out in accordance with national best practice standards for safety and performance requirements in laboratory containment devices, or are manufactured and installed in accordance with the following standards:

2.a

General purpose fume cupboards: EN 14175 Parts 1-7 (as appropriate)

2.b

Recirculatory filtration fume cupboards

2.c

Microbiological safety cabinets: EN 12469:2000 (for manufacture)

2.d

Clean air hoods, glove boxes, isolators and mini-environments: EN ISO 14644-7:2004

2.e

Articulated extension arms: PD CEN/TR 16589

Or, for schools, universities and higher education buildings with laboratories and fume cupboards:

2.f

Where laboratory containment devices that are ducted to discharge externally are specified, the guidance in the National Annex of EN 14175-2 must be followed to ensure an appropriate discharge velocity is achieved.

One credit - Buildings with containment level 2 and 3 laboratory facilities

Where containment level 2 and 3 laboratory facilities are specified or present they must meet best practice safety and performance criteria and objectives. This is demonstrated as follows:

3.a

Criterion 1 has been achieved

3.b

Ventilation systems comply with national best practice guidance. Where there is no national best practice guidance, it shall follow the best practice guidance set out in 'DRAFT HSE Biological Agents and Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2010' in relation to ventilation systems

3.c

Filters for all areas designated as containment level 2 and 3 are located outside the main laboratory space for ease of cleaning or replacement, and the filters are easily accessible by maintenance staff or technicians.

The design team demonstrate that the individual fume cupboard location and stack heights have been considered in accordance with national best practice guidance. Where national best practice guidelines do not exist then the stack height shall be calculated following the HMIP Technical Guidance Note (Dispersion) D1.

Checklists and tables

None.

Compliance notes

Ref	Terms	Description
Shell and core (non-residential and residential institutions only)
CN1	Applicable assessment criteria	Both options: This issue is not applicable. Refer to Appendix D – Shell and core project assessments for a more detailed description of the shell and core assessment options.
Residential - Partially fitted and fully fitted
CN2	Applicable assessment criteria - Single and multiple dwellings	Both options: This issue is not applicable. Refer to Appendix E – Applicability of BREEAM New Construction to single and multiple dwellings, partially and fully fitted for a more detailed description of residential assessment options.
General
CN3	National best practice standards and relevant industry standards	Please refer to the Approved Standards and Weightings list (ASWL) to locate the appropriate national best practice standards in the country of assessment. Alternatively, standards deemed equivalent by the project team can be submitted as per the process outlined in the Assessor Operations manual. Where appropriate standards do not exist for a country, the design team should demonstrate compliance with the British or European standards as listed in each relevant country reference sheet.
CN3.1	Building contains no laboratory containment devices	Please note that the laboratory and containment device criteria and credits only apply where laboratory space, fume cupboards or other containment devices are present within the assessed building.

Methodology

None.

Evidence

Criteria

Interim design stage

Final post-construction stage

All

A copy of the proposed laboratory facilities risk assessment.

The relevant section or clauses of the building specification or contract or a formal letter from the design team.

Design drawings.

BREEAM Assessor’s site inspection report and photographic evidence or as-built drawings.

Correspondence from the design team confirming installation of a compliant system.

A copy of the manufacturers’ or suppliers’ literature or a letter from these parties confirming their cupboards and cabinets are manufactured and installed in accordance with the relevant standards.

Additional information

Relevant definitions

Containment Levels

Containment Levels 2 and 3 are defined in The Management, Design and Operation of Microbiological Containment Laboratories 2001, ACDP.

Fume cupboard or safety cabinet

Scientific equipment designed to limit a person's exposure to hazardous fumes or biological material. Air is drawn through the enclosure of the cupboard conducting the contaminated air away from the experimental area and those using the equipment.

Risk assessment

For the purpose of the relevant laboratory criteria in this issue, a risk assessment is a systematic consideration of any activity in which there is a hazard, followed by decisions on the substances, equipment and procedures used, and on the restrictions and precautions needed to make the risk acceptably low. Below is a list of useful resources:

ISO 15189:2012, Medical laboratories - requirements for quality and competence
CWA 15793:2011 (Management system for laboratory biosafety and biosecurity).

Other information

EN 14175 Fume cupboard discharge velocity: Part 2 states that the discharge velocity from fume cupboard extracts should be at least 7m/s, but that a figure of 10m/s is preferable to ensure that the discharge will not be trapped in the aerodynamic wake of the stack. Higher discharge velocities may be required, especially in windy locations, but higher rates may cause noise problems.

Compliance in the EU would be demonstrated by meeting the following directives depending on the type of laboratory:

EC directives 2000/54/EC
Directive 98/81/EC
Directive 2005/83/EC.